Undergarment for women



Au 24, 1937. SNYER 2,091,018

UNDERGARMENT FOR WOMEN Filed May 6, 1935 IN YEN Tar? C'mws TIN Elva-v? Er Ka K Patented Aug. 24, 1937 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

UNDERGARMENT FOR WOMEN Christine Sivyer, Minneapolis, Minn. Application May 6, 1935, Serial No. 20,031

8 Claims.

This invention relates to a garment and particularly to an undergarment for women adapted to be worn in place of bloomers, pants or panties.

In the present day women do not wish to wear any but the absolutely essential articles of clothing. This is particularly true of undergarments. It is desired to have garments which contain only enough material to do the necessary work or perform the necessary functions.

At the present day also most women wear a girdle or similar foundation garment. These girdles or foundation garments are usually made of quite thick and heavy material and are close fitting and have the function of holding the body in a certain shape or form. Such garments have also come to be rather long so that they extend to or slightly below the crotch. The present day bloomers, pants or panties are also worn so short and close fitting that when they are worn over a long girdle they cover the girdle at their upper portions. The only part of the bloomers or pants that acts as a leg covering is the little section between the legs. The upper portion of the bloomers or pants merely forms a second layer of material over the girdle. Furthermore, when bloomers or pants are thus worn over a girdle they cannot come close to the body at the crotch or adjacent the girdle because the latter, as stated, comes down quite low and holds the bloomers or pants away from the body. The long girdle thus worn under the bloomers or pants gives trouble in another way as the front of the bloomers is drawn back and forth against the lower edge of the girdle in walking and is soon worn out at this point.

It is an object of this invention to provide a garment adapted to be Worn with a foundation garment such as a girdle and which will avoid the objections above noted and which will be so arranged as to lie close to or adjacent the body.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a garment extending forwardly and rearwardly between the legs to form a crotch portion, the same having simple and easily adjusted supporting means.

It is another object of the invention to provide a garment having a crotch portion extending forwardly and rearwardly between the legs and having side portions extending along the inner sides of the legs, said garment being supported at its front and rear from the waist. 7

It is still another object of the invention to provide a simple and efficient garment adapted to be worn with a foundation garment such as a girdle and having supporting means which may be disposed under the girdle.

It is also a further object of the invention to provide a simple and efiicient garment comprising a crotch portion extending between the legs,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of said cords having loops 1 formed at their ends;

Fig. 3 is a plan View of said cords, the same being joined to form a loop adapted to encircle the waist;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of said cords'as they are constructed to form a supporting means;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of a cord adapted to form a modified form of supporting means;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of the cord shown in Fig. 5 as arranged for a supporting means;

Fig. '7 is a disassembled view of the parts used to form the cloth part of the garment;

Fig. 8 is a view in side elevation of the garment substantially in wearing position; 7

Fig. 9 is a view in side elevation of the entire garment;

Fig, 10 is a partial View similar to Fig. 2 shown on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 11 is a plan view of one of the knots used; and

Fig. 12 is a plan View of a modified form of a portion of the garment.

Referring to the drawing, a garment is shown comprising a cloth or fabric portion l5. While the member l5 might be variously formed, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated it, as shown in Fig. '7, comprises a central portion I5a of elongated form having at each end pairs of converging edges [51) and I50 respectively, said edges converging to a point at each end of said portion. Portion I50. at its sides has edges l5d each formed on a concave curve. Side portions l5e are provided illustrated as being in the form of segments of a circle. Said portions |5e thus have a straight side I51 and this is secured along the side Hid of piece I5a. After pieces l5a and 15s are connected, small strips or tabs l5g are sewed to the ends of piece lt A supporting means is provided and in one form illustrated this comprises a pair of cords I6. Cords I6 are formed of elastic of substantially cylindrical form which is a well known commercial article. Said elastic comprises a plurality of strands of rubber about which is wrapped or woven a covering of silk or other fabric which expands readily Iongitudinally when the cord is stretched or placed under tension. Said cord quickly assumesits normal shape when the tension is released. A fixed knot I6a is first formed in the cords I 6 adjacent the ends thereof, one of said cords being somewhat longer than the other. A knot I6b is then formed at the end of each cord and this knot surrounds and is slidable upon the cord between the knot Mia and the other end of the cord. A loop IE0 is thus formed and it will be apparent that this loop can be enlarged or diminished in size by sliding knot I621. The end of each cord I6 opposite the end having the knot I6b thereon is formed into a knot surrounding and slidable on the intermediate portion of the other cord. These knots are designated Ifid. It will be seen that a loop I6e is thus formed which can be increased or diminished in size by sliding the knots I 801 toward or away from the loops I60 respectively. In wearing position the loop I6e extends about the waist of the wearer and end portions I61 extend downwardly from the knots IBd at the front and rear of the loop IIie and the tabs I50 are placed through the loop I60 and secured in place by any suitable fastening means. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated said tabs are shown as secured by safety pins II. The portion I5 of the garment thus extends forwardly and rearwardly between the legs, the portion I5a forming a crotch portion and the portions l5e folding downwardly and being disposed along the inner side of the legs respectively. It is desired to keep the upper ends of part I5 or portion I5a substantially flat against the body and for this purpose stiffening members I8 and I9 are sewed into the piece I50. extending substantially perpendicular to the central median line thereof. Member I8 is shown as spaced a short distance from the ends of portions l5e while member I9 has its ends disposed substantially at the ends of portions l5e. The stiffening members I8 and I9 may be made of light bone or metal. The stiffening member I8 at the front might be dispensed with but the stiffening member I9 in the back is quite essential and affords a distinct advantage.

In the use of the garment the same is placed on the body before any other article, particularly the foundation garment or girdle. The loop I6e surrounds. the waist next to the body and this loop can be easily and quickly adjusted to give the desired fit by sliding the knots Hid. These knots slide readily on the cords I6 but stay in their adjusted position after being moved. The portions I 6] depend at the front and rear and these portions can be adjusted to give the desired height for the loops I6c by sliding the knots I617. The knots I6a prevent the knots I6b from sliding toofar on the cords. The portion I5, as stated, extends forwardly and rearwardly between the legs forming the crotch portion and this is prevented from folding or wrinkling too much by the stiffening members I8 and I9. These extend flat across the body at the front and rear just above the crotch and hold the portion of member I5 therebetween in proper form. The portions I56 extend downwardly along the inner side of the legs and form a comfortable garment which prevents chafing and is especially advantageous to closely built wearers.

In Figs. 5 and 6 another form of supporting cord is shown. A single strand of cord 2| is used having end portions 2Ia and 2Ib. Knots 2Ic will be made in the cord at similar distances respectively from each end, said knots being simple knots fixed in position. The end portions of cord 2|v will then have a slip knot 2Id formed therein surrounding the cord 2| between its central point and the knots 2Ic respectively. Loops 2Ie are thus formed which may be increased or decreased in size by sliding knots 2Id. The end portion 2Ia is then formed into a slip knot 2| f which surrounds the cord between end 2Ib and knot 2Ie. End portion 2I b is formed into a slip knot 2Ig which surrounds the cord 2I between knot 2|) and the other knot 2Id. The knots 2Id and the two strands therebetween thus form a loop 2Ih and it is apparent that this loop can be enlarged or diminished by sliding the knots 2Id together or away from each other. This loop can also be adjusted by sliding knots 2| 1 and 2Ig toward or from each other. In use, the loop 2Ih will surround the waist and the cord will depend from knots 2Id, the tabs I5g being secured to the loops shown beyond and between the knots 2Ic and 2Id respectively. The length of the side pieces extending downwardly from the knots 2Id can, of course, be adjusted by sliding the knots 2Id and, as above stated, the knots 2If and 2Ig can be moved so as to give the desired size of loop for the waist and to provide material to give the proper length to the depending portions or loops.

In Fig. 12 another form of the central or cloth portion of the garment is shown. This comprises a fabric member 22 having a central rectangular portion with triangular end portions which terminate in points. Tabs 22a are secured to the ends of member 22. stiffening members 23 which will be made of thin strips of metal or bone suitably covered are shown adjacent each end of member 22 and substantially at the ends of the rectangular central portion.

In use, member 22 will extend forwardly and rearwardly between the legs and form the crotch portion of the garment and tabs 220, will be secured to the loops I60 as are the tabs I5g shown in Fig. 9. The stiffening members 23 will extend across the front and rear of the body above the crotch and will keep the member 22 from folding into too much of a string.

In Fig. 11 a knot such as used intermediate the length of the cord, such as knots I611 or 2Ic, is shown and in Fig. 10 an enlarged view of the knot I6b formed as the sliding knot at the end of the cord is shown. This knot is also similar to knots 2If and 2Ig.

From the above description it is seen that applicant has produced a very simple and yet very efficient garment. The small round cord which supports the garment can conveniently and comfortably be worn under the girdle and ample means are provided for adjusting the supporting cord both as to the portion surrounding the waist and the portions extending down to support the garment at the crotch. The small round elastic above described lends itself admirably to this use. The garment can thus be conveniently worn with a foundation garment and yet will closely engage the body at the crotch and at the inner sides of the legs. Owing to the elastic support the fabric portion of the garment can easily be moved to one side for toilet purposes. It is also apparent that the garment can function as a sanitary belt and that the Kotex or similar fabric can be attached to the portions I5 or 22 or to the loops I50 and the loops between the knots 2Ic and 2! :1 respectively. The garment is particularly desirable for warm weather when as little clothing as possible is desired. The garment makes a very desirable substitute for bloomers, pants or panties when a girdle is worn.

The objections of the said garments extending over the girdle, being held away from the body and the chafing and wear of said garments are all eliminated.

The device has been demonstrated in actual practice and found to be very successful and efficient.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, without departing from the scope of applicant's invention, which generally stated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above set forth in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:-

1. A garment designed to be worn with a foundation garment such as a girdle, comprising round elastic cords each having a sliding loop at one end, each of said cords being attached at its other end to the other cord and slidable thereon above said loop, said cords thus forming a loop adapted to encircle the waist of the wearer, which loop can be enlarged or diminished by sliding said last mentioned ends apart or together, said cords depending from said ends at the front and rear of said last mentioned loop and a member of cloth secured at its ends to said first mentioned loops respectively and extending forwardly and rearwardly between the legs of the wearer.

2. A garment designed to be worn with a foundation garment such as a girdle, comprising a fabric member extending forwardly and rearwardly between the legs and having narrowed ends, an elastic supporting means of strand material for said member including a loop encircling the waist, said member having a stifiening means extending transversely thereof at its rear portion adapted to extend straight across the back above the crotch and prevent excessive folding of said member.

3. A garment designed to be worn with a foundation garment such as a girdle, comprising a fabric member having appreciable width adapted to extend forwardly and rearwardly between the legs to form a crotch portion, said member being tapered at its ends, stiffening means extending transversely of said member adjacent its ends, said member being detachably secured at said ends to a supporting means extending upwardly and having a loop encircling the waist of the wearer beneath said foundation garment.

4. A supporting means for a garment adapted to be worn with a foundation garment such as a girdle, comprising a pair of cords, the end of each cord being provided with a sliding knot surrounding and engaging said cord adjacent its end to form an adjustable loop at the end of each cord, said cords having their other ends provided with sliding knots encircling and slidable on the other cord between said loop and the other end of said cord whereby a loop is formed adapted to encircle the waist of the wearer beneath said foundation garment, which loop can be increased or decreased in size by sliding said last mentioned ends, said cords depending downwardly from said last mentioned ends to form supporting means which can be adjusted in length by increasing or decreasing the size of said first mentioned loops.

5. A garment designed to be worn with a foundation garment such as a girdle, comprising a loop adapted to encircle the waist, said loop being formed of elastic cylindrical material of small dimension adapted to encircle the waist of the wearer next to the skin so that it may be worn under a girdle without discomfort, said material comprising a strand having an end portion slidably attached to an intermediate portion of said loop and slidable on said portion whereby said loop may be enlarged or diminished by sliding said end portion, members extending downwardly at each side of said loop at the front and rear thereof, a fabric member having an appreciable width and narrowed ends secured at said ends to the lower ends of said last mentioned members respectively and extending forwardly and rearwardly between the legs of the wearer.

6. A garment comprising a loop adapted to encircle the waist of the wearer, said loop being formed from a pair of small elastic strands, one end portion of each strand being slidably attached to an intermediate portion of the other strand to form said loop whereby said loop may be enlarged or diminished by sliding said end portions, strands of said material extending downwardly at the front and rear sides of said loop, a fabric portion secured at its ends to said last mentioned strands respectively and extending forwardly and rearwardly between the legs of the wearer, said last mentioned strands having means for lengthening and shortening the same.

7. A garment designed to be worn under a foundation garment such as a girdle comprising a simple fabric portion of elongated form extending forwardly and rearwardly between the legs of the wearer and having depending portions at each side between said legs, a loop of material quite small in cross section adapted to encircle the waist of the wearer, said loop having end portions of said material slidable thereon to increase and decrease the size thereof, strands of said material depending at the front and rear sides of said loop, said strands having loops at their lower ends attached to the ends of said elongated fabric portion, said latter loops having slidably adjustable ends to vary the size thereof and the length of said depending strands.

8. A garment adapted to be worn next to the body comprising an elongated fabric portion extending forwardly and rearwardly between the legs having a central part with concave side edges thus forming a narrow zone having its minimum width substantially at the central part of said portion and side portions or flaps having substantially the form of segments of a circle, said flaps having their straight edges secured to said concave edges and extending downwardly from said edges between the legs of the wearer, a loop encircling the waist of the wearer formed of elastic material of small cross section, said loop having end portions of said material carried thereon slidable to increase or decrease the size of the loop and strands of said material extending downwardly at the front and rear sides of said loop and attached to the ends ofvsaid fabric portion.

CHRISTINE SIVYER. 

